Best Golden Visa Lawyers in Piacenza

About Golden Visa Law in Piacenza, Italy

In Italy, what many people call a Golden Visa is officially the Investor Visa for Italy. It is a national immigration route that allows non-EU nationals to enter and reside in Italy based on a qualifying investment. While the law is national, your on-the-ground steps will be handled locally in places like Piacenza through the Questura for your residence permit and the Comune for your residence registration.

The Investor Visa for Italy was introduced to attract foreign capital and entrepreneurial talent. It grants a type D entry visa and, after entry, a dedicated residence permit known as the permesso di soggiorno per investitori. The visa is initially valid for 2 years and can be renewed for 3 additional years if you continue to meet the requirements. Family members can generally join you under family provisions once your status is in place.

There is no real estate option under Italy’s investor route. Eligible investments include Italian government bonds, shares in Italian companies, stakes in innovative startups, or a philanthropic donation to projects of public interest. Applicants first obtain a Nulla Osta, a pre-clearance issued by the Investor Visa for Italy Committee, and only then apply for the visa at the Italian consulate. After arriving in Italy, you must complete the investment within a short statutory timeframe and convert your visa into a residence permit.

Piacenza is in the Emilia-Romagna region, with local offices experienced in handling immigration registrations, tax codes, business incorporations, and health care enrollment, all of which can be integral to a smooth investor relocation.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

A lawyer can help you determine whether the Investor Visa is the right path or whether another route, such as elective residence, work, or entrepreneurial permits, better fits your goals. The investor rules are technical, and a small mistake can delay or derail your application.

Legal counsel can structure your investment to meet eligibility thresholds, ensure lawful source of funds documentation, and coordinate due diligence for bank onboarding. This is crucial because Italian banks follow strict anti-money laundering procedures and may require extensive evidence regarding the origin of your funds.

Immigration filings involve multiple authorities. A lawyer can manage the Nulla Osta request before the Investor Visa Committee, consular submissions, translations and legalizations, and your appointments in Piacenza with the Questura and Comune. Counsel can also handle family accompaniment, minors’ schooling considerations, and timing your arrival so you meet the statutory 8-day and 3-month deadlines after entry.

Ongoing compliance matters. Lawyers guide you through permit renewals, proof-of-investment submissions, switching permit types if your plans change, and appeals if something is refused. They can coordinate cross-border tax advice, including the new resident flat tax regime and Italian reporting duties, to minimize surprises once you are resident in Piacenza.

Local Laws Overview

Legal basis. The Investor Visa for Italy is governed primarily by the Italian Consolidated Immigration Act and subsequent implementing measures that created the investor category. The program is administered at national level by the Investor Visa for Italy Committee. Police immigration offices process residence permits locally.

Eligible investments. You can qualify by committing to one of the following minimum options, to be maintained for the duration of your permit renewal cycle: 2,000,000 euros in Italian government bonds, 500,000 euros in shares or quotas of an Italian company, 250,000 euros in an Italian innovative startup, or 1,000,000 euros as a philanthropic donation to a project of public interest. Real estate purchases do not qualify as an investor route.

Procedure and timing. You apply online for a Nulla Osta from the Investor Visa Committee by demonstrating your identity, clean criminal record for the previous 10 years, availability and lawful origin of funds, and a detailed investment plan. If approved, you apply for the investor entry visa at the Italian consulate. Upon arrival in Italy, you must apply within 8 working days for the investor residence permit at the Questura di Piacenza and complete the investment within a short time window, typically within 3 months after entry, or the permit can be revoked.

Validity and renewal. The residence permit is valid for 2 years and renewable for 3 more years if you maintain the qualifying investment and continue to meet all conditions. If your investment changes form, legal advice helps ensure continuous compliance.

Family members. Your spouse or partner and dependent children may usually obtain appropriate residence permits to accompany or join you, subject to documentation and housing adequacy checks.

Local implementation in Piacenza. The Questura di Piacenza handles biometrics and issues residence permits. The Comune di Piacenza manages Anagrafe residence registration, which is required to access local services. The Agenzia delle Entrate issues your Codice Fiscale tax code and, if needed, a VAT number. The Camera di Commercio of Piacenza registers companies. The local health authority can enroll you in the National Health Service once you have the residence permit and a registered address.

Tax considerations. New residents may consider the optional flat tax regime for high net worth individuals, which imposes a fixed annual tax on foreign-source income, or other regimes depending on activity. Regardless of the regime, Italian tax residents are generally taxed on worldwide income and have foreign asset reporting obligations. Coordinate with a tax professional before becoming resident to plan effectively.

Paths to long-term status. After 5 years of continuous legal residence and meeting integration and income conditions, you may be eligible for EU long-term residence. After 10 years of legal residence, naturalization as an Italian citizen may be possible, subject to language proficiency and other requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Italy’s Golden Visa and how does it differ from other routes

Italy’s Golden Visa is the colloquial name for the Investor Visa for Italy, a route for non-EU nationals who make a qualifying investment. It differs from the elective residence visa, which is based on passive income and no work, and from work or startup permits, which are based on employment or entrepreneurial activity. The investor route does not include real estate as an eligible investment.

What are the minimum investment options and amounts

The principal options are 2,000,000 euros in Italian government bonds, 500,000 euros in shares or quotas of an Italian company, 250,000 euros in an Italian innovative startup, or 1,000,000 euros as a philanthropic donation to a project of public interest. You choose one route and must maintain it to keep and renew your permit.

Do I need to transfer funds before receiving the visa

No. You apply for a Nulla Osta with a commitment to invest, plus proof that you have the funds and their lawful origin. After your visa is issued and you enter Italy, you must complete the transfer and finalize the investment within a short statutory deadline or your permit can be revoked.

Can I qualify by buying real estate in Italy

No. Real estate purchases do not count toward the investor visa. If your goal is property purchase combined with residence, a lawyer can evaluate other options such as elective residence if you meet its criteria.

How long does the process take from start to finish

The Nulla Osta is typically decided within about 30 days once a complete application is filed. Consular visa appointments and issuance vary by post. After arrival in Piacenza, biometrics and residence permit issuance can take several weeks to a few months. A well prepared file and early appointment scheduling help reduce delays.

Can my spouse and children come with me

Yes. Spouses or partners and dependent children can usually obtain residence permits to accompany or join you. You will need to show family relationship documents, adequate accommodation, and in some cases income means. Documents from abroad generally require legalization or apostille and sworn translation.

Do I have to live full time in Piacenza to keep my permit

You should spend sufficient time in Italy to maintain lawful residence and to qualify for future long-term status. Extended absences can affect renewal and eligibility for EU long-term residence. A lawyer can assess your travel pattern and advise on risks before renewal.

Can I work or run a business while on the investor permit

The investor residence permit allows you to reside in Italy and generally does not restrict you from working or managing your investments and companies. If you will be employed or taking corporate offices, ensure your tax and social security position is aligned and that any professional licensing requirements are met.

What documents will I need

Core items include a valid passport, recent photographs, a detailed investment plan, evidence of availability and lawful source of funds, a clean criminal record for the previous 10 years from relevant jurisdictions, proof of accommodation, and comprehensive health coverage until you are enrolled in the National Health Service. Expect to provide sworn translations and legalizations where applicable.

When can I obtain permanent residence or citizenship

After 5 years of continuous legal residence, you may be eligible for EU long-term residence if you meet income, housing, and integration requirements. After 10 years of lawful residence, you may be eligible to apply for Italian citizenship by naturalization, subject to language and good conduct requirements. Maintaining your investment and compliance record supports these future steps.

Additional Resources

Investor Visa for Italy Committee, the national body that reviews and issues the investor Nulla Osta. This is your first stop for pre-clearance before any consular filing.

Italian Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy, which oversees the investor program and related policy guidance.

Questura di Piacenza, Ufficio Immigrazione, responsible for residence permit applications, biometrics, and card issuance after you enter Italy.

Prefettura di Piacenza, which coordinates local state offices and may be involved in certain immigration and public order aspects.

Comune di Piacenza, Anagrafe office, where you register your residence address, an essential step for access to local services.

Agenzia delle Entrate, Piacenza office, for obtaining a Codice Fiscale and tax registrations, and for guidance on tax obligations as a new resident.

Camera di Commercio di Piacenza, for company incorporation and corporate registry filings if you plan to invest through or set up a local business.

Azienda USL di Piacenza, the local health authority, for National Health Service enrollment once you have your residence permit and registered address.

Italian consulate or embassy competent for your place of residence, for visa issuance after you receive the investor Nulla Osta.

Next Steps

Clarify your objectives. Decide whether your priority is residence flexibility, business activity, or long-term settlement. Compare the investor visa with other Italian routes before you commit funds.

Engage qualified advisors. Consult an immigration lawyer experienced with the Investor Visa for Italy, and a tax professional who can model the new resident flat tax and other regimes in light of your global assets.

Choose your investment pathway. Select among government bonds, company shares, innovative startup participation, or a philanthropic donation. Begin preliminary due diligence and banking outreach to confirm feasibility and timelines.

Assemble documents. Gather passports, source-of-funds evidence, bank statements, criminal record certificates for the last 10 years from relevant countries, accommodation documents, and insurance. Arrange sworn translations and apostilles or legalizations as required.

Apply for the Nulla Osta. File the online application to the Investor Visa for Italy Committee with full supporting evidence. Respond promptly to any requests. On approval, book your consular appointment for the investor visa.

Plan your arrival in Piacenza. Enter Italy on the investor visa and, within 8 working days, submit your residence permit application at the Questura di Piacenza. Obtain your Codice Fiscale and open or activate your Italian bank account if not already done.

Complete the investment. Finalize the transfer and completion of your chosen investment within the statutory deadline after entry and provide proof to the Committee and authorities as instructed.

Register locally. Register your residential address with the Comune di Piacenza Anagrafe, enroll with the health authority, and set up tax filings. If you are incorporating or investing in a company, complete any Chamber of Commerce and corporate formalities.

Maintain compliance. Track renewal dates, maintain the investment amount, keep documentation updated, and monitor travel so you protect your eligibility for long-term residence and future citizenship. If circumstances change, seek legal advice early to consider switching permit types or adjusting your investment structure.

This guide provides general information and is not legal advice. Because rules and procedures can change, always verify current requirements with qualified professionals and the competent authorities in Piacenza.